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Glite Dictionary
rock rattlesnake

rock rattlesnake

8.1
A venomous snake that lives among rocks in the southwestern United States and Mexico
  • noun
  • /rɑk ˈrætəlˌseɪk/
  • US
translation icon : serpiente de cascabel de roca
  • We spotted a rock rattlesnake resting between the sun-warmed boulders.

Examples

  • The rock rattlesnake camouflages itself effectively among the rocks.

  • The rock rattlesnake is known for its distinctive rattle.

  • Hikers are warned to watch out for the rock rattlesnake in this region.

  • Have you seen a rock rattlesnake in the wild?

  • Hikers are warned to watch out for the rock rattlesnake in this region.

  • The rock rattlesnake camouflages itself effectively among the rocks.

  • We spotted a rock rattlesnake resting between the sun-warmed boulders.

Synonyms

Crotalus lepidus
vsrock rattlesnake
  • Specialized
9.9

A small rock rattlesnake that lives in Mexico and the southern United States

is the everyday common name used by non specialists and field guides

Surface Forms

rock rattlesnake singular
rock rattlesnakes plural

Morphology

rock + rattlesnake

The noun-noun compound simply names a type of rattlesnake associated with rocks or rocky habitats, so the meaning is the straightforward combination of 'rock' + 'rattlesnake'. This compositional pattern is cross-linguistically common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer it refers to a rattlesnake that lives among rocks.

Etymology

Rock rattlesnake gets its name from two simple images: rock because it lives among rocks and rattlesnake because it shakes its tail to make a warning rattle. So the name tells you it is a 'venomous' snake that lives on rocky ground.